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Trends in the supply of dentists in North Carolina, 1996-2005

Trends in the supply of dentists in North Carolina, 1996-2005 - Page 3

While the recent upswing in the supply of dentists is good news, maldistribution of the workforce remains
problematic and appears to be worsening in recent years. In 2005, North Carolina had 4.9 dentists per 10,000
population in metropolitan counties compared to 3.1 in non- metropolitan counties ( Figure 5). Between 2000 and
2005 the supply of dentists relative to population grew 10.3% in metropolitan areas compared to an increase of
3.9% in non- metropolitan areas. More than a quarter of North Carolina’s counties ( 26%) had fewer than two
dentists per 10,000 population. The four counties with no active dentists are all designated as non- metropolitan
and located in the eastern part of the state ( see Figure 1).
Figure 5: Dentists per 10,000 Population, by Metropolitan and
Non- Metropolitan Counties, North Carolina, 1979 to 2005
Who are the dentists who enter practice in a
given year? Figure 4 shows that of the 279
dentists gained between 2004- 2005, 22% were
new graduates from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, 23% were new graduates
from an educational program in another state,
24% were licensed by credential and the
remaining 31% previously held a North Carolina
license and were not practicing in the state in
2004.
Page 3 Trends in the Supply of Dentists in North Carolina, 1996- 2005
Figure 4: Gain in Dentists, 2005
Distribution
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Dentists per 10,000 population
Metropolitan
Nonmetropolitan
4.9
3.1
Previously
licensed in NC
31%
New
UNC- CH Grad
22%
New Out- of-
State Grad
23%
Licensed
by Credential
24%
Gain in Dentists= 279
Year

While the recent upswing in the supply of dentists is good news, maldistribution of the workforce remains
problematic and appears to be worsening in recent years. In 2005, North Carolina had 4.9 dentists per 10,000
population in metropolitan counties compared to 3.1 in non- metropolitan counties ( Figure 5). Between 2000 and
2005 the supply of dentists relative to population grew 10.3% in metropolitan areas compared to an increase of
3.9% in non- metropolitan areas. More than a quarter of North Carolina’s counties ( 26%) had fewer than two
dentists per 10,000 population. The four counties with no active dentists are all designated as non- metropolitan
and located in the eastern part of the state ( see Figure 1).
Figure 5: Dentists per 10,000 Population, by Metropolitan and
Non- Metropolitan Counties, North Carolina, 1979 to 2005
Who are the dentists who enter practice in a
given year? Figure 4 shows that of the 279
dentists gained between 2004- 2005, 22% were
new graduates from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, 23% were new graduates
from an educational program in another state,
24% were licensed by credential and the
remaining 31% previously held a North Carolina
license and were not practicing in the state in
2004.
Page 3 Trends in the Supply of Dentists in North Carolina, 1996- 2005
Figure 4: Gain in Dentists, 2005
Distribution
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Dentists per 10,000 population
Metropolitan
Nonmetropolitan
4.9
3.1
Previously
licensed in NC
31%
New
UNC- CH Grad
22%
New Out- of-
State Grad
23%
Licensed
by Credential
24%
Gain in Dentists= 279
Year